UN Expresses Sadness Over South Africa Gas Explosion That Killed 34
Category: World News
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed his deep sadness
over the reported death of at least 34 people in the South Africa fuel tanker
explosion.
The blast in Boksburg, a suburb of the capital,
Johannesburg, on Christmas Eve severely damaged the roof of the emergency
department at the Tambo Memorial hospital there, killing and injuring dozens
while also reportedly destroying houses and cars.
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Initial reports estimated around 27 deaths, but that figure had risen to
34 by the past weekend, according to regional health authorities.
A
memorial service for the dead was held last Friday.
News reports
said the victims included nearly a dozen health workers, and almost two dozen
members of the public, and due to serious injuries caused by burns, the death
toll could rise still further.
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Children were reportedly among those who perished.
“The
Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the families of those who lost
their lives from the explosion and to the people and the Government of South
Africa,” he said in a statement issued by the office of the UN Spokesperson.
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“Guterres wishes a full and fast recovery for those injured and the
quick reconstruction of the damaged health infrastructure.”
According to news reports, the gas tanker struck the underside of
a low bridge, before exploding.
Many of the victims were admitted
to the hospital’s casualty unit, before having to be evacuated, ahead of the
roof collapsing.
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